Printing attachment for labeling-machines.



Patented Oct. I4, |902.

F. C. H. STlASBlJllzlEl.

PRINTING ATTACHMENT FDR LABELING MACHINES.

(Application filed Nov. 7, 1901.)

2 Sheets-Shut l.

Wz/mess/ Y l A Tay/6735071,

Patented Oct. I4, |902.

F. c. H. sTRAs-BURGER.

PRINTING ATTACHMENT FR LABELING MACHINES.

(Application filed Nov. 7, 1901.)

` 2 Sheets-$heet 2.

(No Model.)

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK C. H. STRASBURGER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO BOT- TLERSSPECIALTY MANUFACTURING CO., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A

CORPORATION OF IOWA.

PRlNTlNG ATTACHMENT FOR LABELlNG-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 711,019, dated October14, 1902.

Application led November 7, 1901. Serial No. 81,440. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK C. H. STRAS- BURGER, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in PrintingAttachments for Labeling-Machines, of which the following is aspecilication.

This invention relates to novel mechanism for printing a date or otherinformation on labels at or about the time the labels are af- Xed toreceptacles, and I have used it successfully in connection withlabeling-machines of the character illustrated in Letters Patent of theUnited States No. 647,043, granted to me April 10, 1900, and No.674,141, granted to me May 14, 1901; but it will be apparent after theinvention is understood that it may be embodied in machines otherwiseconstructed and employed for a variety ot' different purposes, allwithin the scope of the invention.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a simple andinexpensive printing attachment for labeling-machines whichautomatically operate to print upon each label at or about the time thelabel is affixed to the receptacle; and another and equally importantobject is to employ the receptacle itself as aplaten for the printingoperation,whereby the printing attachment may come into operativeengagement with the label at or about the time the latter is beingaliixed to the receptacle or after it is attiXed.

The invention has other objects in view,`

which will be particularly described hereinafter and pointed outspecitically in the claims.

I have illustrated my invention in connection with a labeling-machine ofthe character illustrated in my patents above mentioned, and as theinvention is not restricted to use with a machine of specialconstruction I have only shown so much of the machine as is necessary toillustrate the general position and arrangement and operation of theprinting attachment..

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 illustrates the improvedattachment l embodied in a labeling-machine. plan View of the attachmentand also showing a label-carrier. Fig. 3 is a side elevation Fig. 2 isatop` of the attachment partly in section and showing the same inprinting position. Fig. LI is a similar View of the attachment inelevated position. Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the attachment. Fig. 6is a longitudinal-sectional view showing the arrangement of the type.Fig. 7 is a sectional View on the line 7 7 of Fig. 5. Fig. 8 is atransverse sectional view on the line 8 8 of Fig. 6. Fig. 9 is atransverse sectional view on the line Q 9 of Fig. 5. Fig. 10 is a frontview of the affixing devices.

Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals ot reference denotecorresponding parts in the several figures, 10 designates the frame ofthe machine in which my printing attachment is embodied, and inconnection with the frame I have also shown in broken lines alabel-supply holder 11 and a paste device 12. A swinging carrier 13 maybe employed to carry the labels from the supplyholder into labelingposition, Fig. 1, and this carrier may be actuated in any suitablemanner, as by a segmental gear 50, mounted on a rock-shaft and meshingwith a partiallytoothed pinion 52 on the carrier-shaft 52'. The aftixingdevices may consist of wipers 5G, carried on arms 56', pivotally mountedon a vertically-movable rod 55, said rod being operated by means of alever 51, mounted on the shaft 50' and reciprocated by a grooved cam 58on a shaft 25. It will not be necessary to specifically describe thesefeatures of a labeling-machine, as they may be variously constructed andoperate independently ofthe invention herein claimed.

The printing attachment consists, essentially, of an arm 15, carryingsuitable type 16, Fig. G, and arranged to be brought in operativecontact with the label 17 while the latteris in engagement with oradjacent to IOO gage itself from the label without disarranging thelatter on the receptacle and return to the label-supply for anotherlabel, the affixing devices being brought into operative contact withthe label while it is still held on the receptacle by the printingattachment and immediately after the carrier has disengaged itselftherefrom. These operations of the carrier and affixing devices arefully disclosed in my aforesaid patents. This arm 15 is mounted on ashaft 18, suitably journaled in the frame or otherwise supported andgiven a rocking movement by suitable actuating mechanism, which may bevariously constructed. In the drawings I have shown iu broken lines onemeans for imparting a rocking movement to the arm, which consists of alever 19, pivoted to the frame at 20 and connected to a crank 21 on therock-shaft 18 by a pin 22 working in a slot in one end and operated by acam 24 on a power-shaft 25, which engages its other end, whereby theprinting-arm is properly rocked. It is apparent, however, that othermeans may be employedfor imparting the proper movement to theprinting-arm, and I desire to include within the purview of my inventionall suitable means for rocking the arm. The type are arranged in a slot26 in the free end of the arm and they may be held in place in anysuitable manner. In labeling bottles and other hard receptacles I preferto employ rubber type, which may be made to hold themselves in thetype-groove without any holding devices; but I may employ metal or otherhard type in labeling paper boxes and all receptacles having sufcientflexibility, and while such type may also be made to stay in thetype-groove without holding devices I may employ whatever holdingdevices may prove necessary or desirable.

The inking device consists, essentially, of a roller 27, which is causedto take up ink from a pad 28 and distribute it over the printing-facesof the type. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated iu thedrawings, and particularly on Sheet 2 thereof, the inkroller 27 iscarried by a yoke 29, which in turn is pivotally mounted on and carriedby links 30, pivoted on the bifurcated ends 31 of a support 32. The.ink-roller is arranged to travel in contact with the type and theinkpad, and in the top of the yoke I provide a roller 33, which rides onthe opposite side of the printing-arm. The yoke 29 is pivoted in theends of the links 30, so that it can readily adapt itself to thechanging position of the printing-arm during its operation and also inorder that the inking-roller may ride easily and smoothly over the typeand inkingpad. The support 32 is bifurcated in order that theprinting-arm may swing back into upright position, as illustrated inFig. et; but it will be understood that it is not necessary foraccomplishing the improved results of my invention that the printing-armshould be carried to this upright position, and the parts which supportand carry the inkingroll, and the rock-shaft and the printingarm may bevariously disposed and arranged with relation to each other to adapt theinvention for use in labeling-machines of different constructions andalso as may become necessary to use the invention in labeling dierentkinds of receptacles. I have shown the printing-arm swung back into thebifurcated end of the support 32; but it is not an essential operationof the invention and equivalent results may be obtained by not carryingthe printing-arm back so far. In connection with the rocking mechanismheretofore described for carrying the printing-arm into operativeengagement with the label I may employ a spring 34, connected at one endto a rigid part of the machine and at the other end to an arm 35 on therock-shaft 18 or other suitable devices for returning the rock-shaft toits normal position at rest. I prefer that the printingarm should bemovable relatively to its shaft and provide a pin 57 on the shaft, whichworks in a recess or cut-out 58 in the collar 59 of the arm, and aspring 36, arranged on the shaft and in engagement with the arm. Thepressure of the arm on the receptacle will thus )be yielding incharacter and not rigid, although I am aware that good resultsy may beobtained by a proper adjustment of the working parts of the machine andthe invention if a fixed pressure is provided instead of the yieldingpressure. The support 32 .is adjustably secured by a thumbscrew 37 to abracket 38, fastened to a fixed part of the machine, this manner ofsecuring the part being desirable in order to properly adjust theinking-roll with relation to the printing-arm. It is also useful in theparticular embodiment of the invention herein described to permit thewithdrawal of the carrier 13 from its socketed collar 39 as it becomesnecessary to change the carrier for labels of diiereut sizes or shapesand as there may not be sufficient room to permit this removal of thecarrier without rst moving the support 32 forward, as the carrierconsists of a bifurcated arm inclosing the printing attachment in themanner illustrated in Fig. 2. The ink-pad is located back of the type ina suitable groove, which may form a continuation of the type-groove orbe entirely independent thereof, and ink may be supplied to the padthrough an opening 40 in the back of the arm or in any other suitablemanner. In the particular construction of the printingarm shown'in thedrawings the ink-pad is located between the ends of the arm in a partwhich is inclined at an angle to the part that carries the type,andwhile I have found this to be a very satisfactory construction I do notdeem it essential to make the arm in this way and may make it straightor otherwise. The iuking-roll is preferably made of metal, and it hasits ends reduced at 4l to receive the shoulders 42 on the printing-arm,that portion of the face of the printing-arm between said loo ros

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shoulders being recessed at 43, so that the faces of the type in thegroove will lie clear of the arm to receive the ink from the roll and tomake a clear and distinct impression on the label. This construction isparticularly useful when labels are applied to curved or roundedsurfaces, and it may be found in labeling some receptacles that betterresults willbe obtained if the faces of the type project slightly beyondthe entire face of the printing-arm.

The operation of the invention will be clearly understood from theforegoing description. The receptacle is used as a platen for theprinting mechanism and the printing operation takes place preferably ator about the time the label is affixed. In the adaptation of theinvention illustrated in the drawings the printing is done just prior tothe operation of the affixing devices; but it will be clearly 'apparentto those skilled in the art that the printing operation may take placeat any time while the label is in such juxtaposition to the receptaclethat the latter may constitute the platen for the printing operation,and the platen may therefore be flat or rounded. The printing may bedone prior to the afflxing operation or simultaneously therewith orafter the label has been completely affixed; but in the drawings I haveshown the invention embodied in the machine in such a manner that theprinting-arm serves also the purpose of a holding-arm for temporarilyclamping the label against the receptacle while still on the carrier andso that the carrier may return for another label and get out of the wayof the affixing devices, as I have found this to be a desirableconstruction, producing most favorable results. The inking-roll isarranged to travel over the type as the arm descends into printingposition and during this movement the inking-roll passes in contact withthe ink-pad also, so as to receive a fresh supply of ink for inking thetype on the upward movement of the arm, so that, it will be observed,the inking-roll passes over the type before and after each printingoperation.

I am aware that many changes in the form and proportion and arrangementof parts and details of construction can be made in the inventionwithout departing from the spirit or sacrificing the advantages thereof,and I reserve the right to make all such changes as fall Within thespirit and scope of the invention and to use the invention in all connections and in all machines where it may be useful for printing onlabels before, during, or after the aflixing operation and onreceptacles of all kinds. l

While the invention is intended particularly for printing the date on alabel to show when the receptacle was filled it is obvious that anyother information may be printed as desired and that several lines oftype or any devices from which an impression can be taken, may be used.In the drawings the label is shown supported horizontally on a forked orbifurcated carrier in juxtaposition to a bottle, and the faces of thetype may" therefore be located slightly inside of the front face of thearm, so that they will not actually engage and print upon the labeluntil the arm clamps the label against the bottle, at which time therounded surface of the bottle will enter the recessed face of the armsufficiently to make printing contact with the type. When the arm thusfirst engages the middle of the label and as the forked carrier is beingwithdrawn from engagement with the outer portions of the label, thelatter is momentarily bent or buckled and carried slightly away from thetype, Wherefore it will bel observed that the type have no chance toprint upon the label until the latter ris clamped against the bottle,and thus blurring is eifectually avoided.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

l. The combination with means for supporting a label in juxtaposition toa receptacle, of a printing device and means for actuating the same toprint on the label while in juxtaposition to the receptacle.

2. The combination with means for support-v ing a label in juxtapositionto a receptacle, of a yielding printing device and means for actuatingthe same to print on the label.

3. The combination with means for supporting a label in juxtaposition toa receptacle forming a platen for the printing operation,of

a printing device and means for actuatingy the same to print on thelabel against the receptacle as a platen.

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4. The combination with means for supporting a label in juxtaposition toa receptacle forming a platen for the printing operation, of a yieldingprinting device and means for actuating the same to print on the labelagainst the receptacle as a platen.

5. The combination with means forsupporting a label in juxtaposition toa receptacle, of a printing device and means for actuating the same toprint on the label at that part where the label is engaged between thereceptacle and the printing device.

6. The combination with means for supporting a label in juxtaposition toa receptacle, of a printing device comprising an arm carrying printingcharacters and means for actuating said arm to print on the labelwhilein juxtaposition to the receptacle. y

7. The combination with means for supporting a label in juxtaposition toa receptacle, of a printing device comprising a rocking arm and meansfor rocking said arm to engage said label against the receptacleandprint on the label against the receptacle as a platen.

8. The combination with means for supporting a label in juxtaposition toa receptacle, of a printing device comprising an arm carrying printingcharacters and means for actuating said arm to print on the label, and adevice IIO for inking the printing characters before the lattervengagethe label.

9. The combination with means for supporting a label in juxtaposition toa receptacle, of a printing device comprising an arm carrying printingcharacters and means for actuating said arm to print on the label, andan inking device arranged to engage the printing characters before andafter each printing operation.

10. The combination with means for supporting a label in juxtapositionto a receptacle, of a printing device comprising an arm carryingprinting characters, an ink-pad carried by said arm adjacent to theprinting characters, means for actuating the arm to print on the label,and an ink-roll arranged to travel in Contact with the ink-pad and theprinting characters.

11. In a labeling-machine, the combination of an arm carrying printingcharacters, an inking device arranged to travel lengthwise on said armto ink the printing characters and operated by the movement of the arm,and means for actuating the arm to print on a label against areceptacle.

12. In a labeling-machine, the combination of an arm carrying printingcharacters and an ink-pad, a yoke arranged to travel bodily lengthwiseon said arm and carrying an inking roll to contact with the ink-pad andprinting characters, and means for actuating the arm to print on a labelagainst a receptacle.

13. In a labeling-machine, the combination of an arm carrying printingcharacters and an ink pad, a support, an inking device loosely hung fromsaid support and operated by the arm to slide lengthwise thereon incontact with the ink-pad and printing characters, and means foractuating the arm to print on a label against a receptacle.

14. In alabeling-machine, the combination of an arm carrying printingcharacters, a support, a yoke pivotally connected to said support andarranged to slide lengthwise on said arm, an inking-roll carried by theyoke to engage the printing characters, a roller carried by the yoke andriding on the opposite side of the arm, and means for actuating the arm.

15. The combination with a shaft and means for rocking the same, of anarm mounted on said shaft and carrying printing characters, an ink-padcarried bysaid arm, a fixed support, a yoke guided on the arm andpivotally connected to said support, and an ink-roll carried by saidyoke to engage the printing characters as the arm is rocked.

16. In a labeling-machine, the combination of means for supporting alabel in position to be affixed to a receptacle, and a printing deviceand means for operating the same to print on the label while in saidposition.

17. In a labeling-machine, the combination of means for supporting alabel in position to be affixed to a receptacle and means for operatingthe same, and a printing device for printing on the label and holdingthe label against the receptacle While the supporting means arewithdrawn.

18. In a labeling-machine, the combination of means for supporting alabel in position to be affixed to a receptacle, and a printing devicecomprising an arm carrying printing characters and means for operatingthe arm to engage and print upon the label while supported by saidsupporting means and at the same time press the label against thereceptacle to permit the supporting means to be withdrawn.

19. In a labeling-machine, the combination of means for supporting alabel in position t0 be affixed to a receptacle, aftixing means, and aprinting device and means for operating the same to print on the labelwhile supported by said supporting means and hold the label against thereceptacle to permit the supporting means to be withdrawn and while thelabel is being affixed.

20. In a labeling-machine, the combination of means for supporting alabel above a receptacle in position to be axed thereto, and a combinedprinting and holding device comprising a yielding arm and means forrocking the same, said arm carrying printing characters at its free endand arranged to engage and yieldingly press upon the label against thereceptacle and print thereon while the supporting means are beingwithdrawn.

21. In a labeling-machine, the combination of a rock-shaft and means foractuating the same, a support, links pivoted to said support, a yokecarried by said links, an ink-roll in the yoke, and an arm mounted onthe rockshaft and carrying an ink-pad and printing characters, said armbeing surrounded by said yoke whereby the yoke will slide lengthwise onthe arm and the ink-roll will contact with the ink-pad and printingcharacters when the arm is actuated.

22. The combination with suitable actuating mechanism, of an armcarrying printing characters and an ink-pad, said ink-pad being locatedbetween the ends of the arm in a portion inclined at an angle to saidends.

23. The combination with suitable actuating mechanism, of an armprovided with a slot in one side thereof, printing characters arrangedin said slot, and means actuated by said arm for inking said characters.

24. The combination with suitable actuat-V ing mechanism, of an armcarrying printing characters and having a slot therein, an inkpad insaid slot and means for carrying ink from the pad to the printingcharacters.

25. The combination with suitable actuating mechanism, of an arm havinglengthwise slots in one face thereof, printing characters in one slot,an ink-pad in the other slot, and means for carrying ink from said padto the printing characters.

26. The combination with suitable actuating mechanism, of a pivoted armprovided with an inclined portion between its ends, printing characterscarried by the arm be- IIO tween said inclined portion and its free end,l on said shaft in the Same direction, and a. an ink-pad carried by thearm in said inspring carried by the shaft and acting on the 1o clinedportion, and means for conveying ink arm. from said pad to the printingcharacters. 5 27. The combination with a rook-shaft and FRANK C' H'STRASBURGER' means for actuating the same, of an 2mn lVitnesses: mountedon said shaft and carrying printing R. C. BLUME, characters, said arnlbeing movable relatively WM. O. BELT.

